Top Tennis player blames shocking loss on "women's problems!"

[aaaaaa5a]

We are in the middle of the Wimbledon Tennis tournament. It's the biggest and most important tennis tournament of the year. For Tennis fans it's our Super Bowl.

A few days ago the former #1 Women's Tennis Player in the World, Jelena Jankovic was defeated in a shocking upset to a 17 year old unranked player named Melanie Oudin.


After the loss, Jankovic blamed her poor play on "women's problems."


Here's her quote.

""I had some women's problems," explained the Serbian sixth seed. "All these things happen. What can I do? I tried my best. I've never had problems like that with my monthly cycle in the past. That was a first experience for me."





This is a multi-million dollar athlete who has won many tournaments and is among the best tennis players in the world. And this is the biggest and most important Tennis tournament of the year.


Questions?

Does it make women appear weak?

Many female sports struggle for equality, does a comment like that hurt the cause?

Is it just an excuse for her bad play?



I found the comments odd. And a bit outdated. And I don't think it puts women in a good light. I was shocked it was said in the press conference. I'm not sure. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm just curious for some feedback.


Full story below.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/tennis/jankovic-blames-womens-problems/2009/06/28/1246127430227.html

[madokie]

1. I take that to mean what she said

and I'm just a guy without periods, monthly cycles mind you but no periods

[Ilsa]

2. Whiney and making excuses? She sounds like a Republican! nt

[monmouth]

3. It most likely did affect her game but she should have said nothing...n/t

[aaaaaa5a]

28. I agree.

There are plenty of other players who probably dealing with the same issue. But when they lose, we won't know all of the possible reasons why/

[Dappleganger]

My b-ball coach tuaght us to say

that we had the flu. He did NOT want to hear of any other kind of problems, ever. The focus should be on the game, the opponent and not what gender the other person may be. We weren't guys, but basketball players.

I tend to agree with him, it did lead to very little whining and we only discussed it among ourselves quietly when he wasn't around. It really did toughen us up and kept us on our game. BTW, this coach is still very much loved even though he is long-retired--he had a daughter and spoiled her like crazy.

[seabeyond]

76. physical pain cause female = whining. flu.... thumbs up. this is the bullshit

that i think some are pointing out on this thread. we too (2 decades ago) would never have said woman problems but there is sexist bullshit in that. that is why i like how she stated it. game off, female problems. not whining, not excuses, just game off cause of period or whatever

[reflection]

4. I would imagine

that her reason was valid. I have no reason to think otherwise.

Regardless, her citing 'women's problems' doesn't make me think women are weaker. It just makes me think they are women... :shrug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Personally I have had some debilitating cycles that kept me bed-ridden for the first day or two. So

while I do think it sounds a bit outdated I also know that for some women that time of month can really be a problem.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

84. Unless I used the pill, my periods were incredibly painful. When they fell on

week days, I had to miss school and later work.

[Lost-in-FL]

6. Athletes have bad days independently of their "cycles".

It sounds to me like an excuse. She is the one looking bad not women (IMO).

[aaaaaa5a]

29. Excellent post!

[fascisthunter]

7. how can it not effect someone's game

I've never heard this being used as an excuse by any other female tennis player, but I could be wrong that.

[Psychic Consortium]

8. Women do not have to pretend to be men to be equal.

Women have a unique biology, complicated bodies.
There is no shame in that.
It is part of why they see the world in a way different
from men. And that is good. Balance is needed.

[omega minimo]

14. +1

[Lost-in-FL]

49. She is an athlete.

She need not to use her biology as an excuse. It could have been a sudden stomach virus for what I care but she has to be prepared to play if she says she is ready or notify someone of her situation. She decided to go ahead and play instead of asking for a delay and she lost her game. She decided to continue on to play inspite her cramps and she needed to perform. Retiring from the game would have been more honorable than later on whining about losing a game because of a cramp.

"Women do not have to pretend to be men to be equal" This is 2009 you know?.

[seabeyond]

50. whe didnt whine. said she was off game. how many football players say

flu, off game.

[omega minimo]

52. Monday morning quarterbacking

[AndyA]

9. It would have been better for her to just say she wasn't on top of her game

and leave it at that. An obvious fact, of course, but sometimes details really aren't necessary.

[omega minimo]

17. Why? She can say what she wants.

[Psychic Consortium]

55. Hiding our biology is like wearing a burka. The time for shame is past. nt

[OKNancy]

10. I suppose if you had really intense cramping

it could make your game bad. However in this day and age there is no reason to even worry about periods.
At least in the dance world... dancers figured out long before there were the four or six month pill that you could just stay on the pill until the performing season was over. I know some track women who did it too.

[qazplm]

24. perhaps this is the first time she's had this problem

perhaps the stress combined with some other issue made it appear to be "women's problems" but it was something else.

perhaps a whole lot of things.

not sure why it matters since it seems she was being honest and said hey, had some ailments, didn't help, I lost.

[TorchTheWitch]

63. oh bullshit

I'm a dancer by profession and I can't take any kind of hormone pills. Plently of women that do take the pill feel more shitty on it then off it as well. When illness from a period makes me too ill to perform well or at all I just don't or just drag my ill self through it. Many a time I've taken Advil for cramps I don't yet have in order to keep them at bay through work. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't... and sometimes it's not the cramps but bloating, fatigue, the runs or nausea from my period.

Let's just stop this silly notion that all women can take the pill without debilitating side effects. I'm sick of people saying to me that I should just take the pill and all will be well. I never felt more disgusting while taking the pill and I tried all different kinds for years. The pill is far from the wonder drug most people make it out to be.

[OKNancy]

64. Why the angry response?

I suppose I shouldn't even bother to answer this, but I am talking from my personal experience. Perhaps it doesn't work for you, but as a ballet teacher for 35 years I have my own experiences as well. In fact my sister and I were just talking about this very subject last month. She is a famous dancer/choreographer in New York City (so much so, that her work is studied in college classes) A ballet companies season usually lasts six months, smaller modern groups sometimes only perform sporadically..maybe two or three times a year. Most of the women feel very comfortable with the freedom that the pills give. Your experience may not be the same.

[Just Saying]

74. She said it was the first time she'd had these problems.

The variety of birth control for women is nice and some indeed have the side effect of controlling/limiting periods. For me personally, any hormones affect me a lot and I don't like the feeling.

That said, who knows her situation? Maybe she's trying to get pregnant so can't take birth control or has a health problem like an infection or cyst.

[tkmorris]

11. I think it's refreshingly honest actually

These things do happen, pretending they don't is just a bit silly IMHO. Some women have more difficulty with their cycle than others, and I would hope that a top athlete would take measures to limit the effects as much as possible, but it is still going to be an issue for some female athletes at some point in their career. What's so wrong with being frank about that?

[aaaaaa5a]

21. I think you are right.

but as a big fan of womens sports (WTA and LPGA) I wish it wasn't said. Especially for such a big event.



I've never heard a football player say "I dropped the ball because of jock itch!" I'm sure in the history of the game it's happened. But that doesn't mean you have to blab it out in a post game interview.

[seabeyond]

26. no but you will hear they have groin issues.... n/t

[aaaaaa5a]

31. Good point! NT

[Gwendolyn]

33. A monthly cycle is not in the same realm as failing to wash thoroughly in the shower.

These guys constantly whinge about how that torn pec or knee issue affected performance. Hardly manly, in the strict sense of the word.

At her level, the slightest change in training or diet can make a diff on the court. So can her period. There's no shame in acknowledging that. It is refreshingly honest.

[Codeine]

58. Just as an aside,

Jock itch has nothing to do with showering. It's a fungal infection.

[Gwendolyn]

61. Well, I've never had the pleasure of the experience.

:D

I thought mostly athletes who hang out in damp, sweaty work out clothes are prone to getting it, and that keeping the area clean and dry is well-advised.

[Codeine]

62. Count yourself lucky.

Got it while playing tennis in high school. Pure misery.

[seabeyond]

23. me too. and i was a highly competitive athlete for two decades. never a whine or excuse

not allowed. but we would never be able to be so blunt, and yes.... i like it was just a flat out... the way it goes, effect the game. big deal. not to hide from or pretend we dont experience this. i agree

[malaise]

38. I agree with you 100% n/t

[ecstatic]

51. Agreed nt

[blonndee]

78. I agree. n/t

[omega minimo]

12. Have you ever had "women's problems"? It might inform some of your questions.

[Name removed]

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[Captain Hilts]

25. Might have changed the brand of pill to alter her cycle to avoid big tournaments or

something.

[Codeine]

13. It happens.

I'm a guy but I see the impact that an occasional bad monthly can have on the women in my life. If just day-to-day tasks can become difficult or unpleasant just imagine how much more difficult it would be while trying to play an incredibly physically demanding sport at absolute top-flight level.

I admire her frankness, myself.

[Name removed]

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[sisters6]

15. Good grief-Why ask such a stupid question.???

[LeftyMom]

18. Being honest doesn't make women appear weak.

The only way not to know that women have cramps, they suck, and they do sometimes get in the way of doing things is not to know any women.

Christ, of all the stupid shit...

I am a bit surprised that a high-level athlete isn't either suppressing her cycles or manipulating their timing with hormones, though. Doesn't seem like something one would want to leave to chance. Maybe she can't for some reason.

[aaaaaa5a]

35. Good post.

"I am a bit surprised that a high-level athlete isn't either suppressing her cycles or manipulating their timing with hormones, though. Doesn't seem like something one would want to leave to chance. Maybe she can't for some reason."


Excellent quote.

[ecstatic]

54. I would think so too, but don't pills have the potential to cause heart attacks

and/or strokes? Sounds like a bad combination with vigorous physical activity (athlete level training).

[EndersDame]

72. Stomach cramps,intense depression, constipation, blood clots

just some of the lovely side affects of birth control

[seabeyond]

19. fuck no.... it doesnt mean shit, but she was feeling like shit and didnt play well

it is nature, the way it is, we suck it up. wasnt an excuse she was using, wasnt whining, she was well aware she didnt play to par and not something she should feel "shame" about and whisper or not say.

big deal

[Captain Hilts]

22. She might have just started taking the pill to alter her cycle to avoid big tournaments.

The pill can make you feel like shit.

[anigbrowl]

27. I find that easy to believe

I don't think any the less of her for it. Indeed, I think more of her for not taking any drugs to try and re-time her cycle.

[joeybee12]

32. I think her comments are only an issue for us puritan, sexually repressed Americans...

...in more advanced countries people would just shrug and say, it happens.

[seabeyond]

34. that is about stupid this puritan nation bullshit. people are sounding almost stupid

using the puritan nation in the world we live today.

and it wasnt puritan thoughts that seem to be the issue, more sexist that she should keep mouth shut cause female ergo, must be whining instead of stating her reality

[joeybee12]

37. Maybe she should have said, I had you know, a problem, and then winked...

...and all the reporters would nod and shyly blush and turn away.

[malaise]

36. Jelena is a well known drama queen but

I'll defend her this time. She clearly had serious cramps and was flat on her back at one point with her trainer. She is world class and there had to be an explanation for losing so badly to the seventeen year old American (who was send packing today).

There are women who have serious cramps and others who suffer big time from PMS.
I was lucky - never once had cramps, but my oldest sister doubled over in pain many a month. As I got older PMS creeped in but I was able to control it by opting for citrus (grapefruit, ortanique, tangerines and oranges) rather than chocolates and pastry.

[seabeyond]

39. she isnt use to them. she should have taken 3 advil an hour before

not two, not four.... THREE. that is the magic number. lol

[aaaaaa5a]

42. The fact that Jelena is a drama queen

probably feeds my cynicism. Did you see how even the announcers were questioning her injury timeouts?




If it had been a player with a reputation for hard work, nobody probably would have noticed her comments.

[malaise]

45. She does use gamesmanship with regularity

but I'm sympathetic to any woman suffering from cramps.
That said she's becoming rather unpopular because of her timeouts when she's losing.

[distantearlywarning]

40. As someone who occasionally has "women's problems" herself

This could totally be the truth. I've had such bad cramps on occasion that they made me throw up. I can't imagine participating in a high-level athletic pursuit while feeling that way.

On the other hand, it could simply be an excuse.

[elocs]

41. If she said it, then it's her business. Why is she answerable to anybody or any body?

If this was the reason why she lost is she somehow obligated to lie or to gloss it over because someone would not like what she said? Perhaps this was the first time it hurt her play. Perhaps if she had to do it over she would have spoken differently without our sitting in judgment on her.

In the vast scope of things this makes little difference except to a woman who is the #1 female tennis player in the world who was just beaten by an unranked 17 year old.

[aikoaiko]

43. A Georgia girl kicked her ass.

Go Dawgs!!!!

[aaaaaa5a]

46. I was disappointed to see her lose today.

The lack of top American women tennis players is astounding. The tour is in desperate need of young American talent. Hopefully this will be the start of a great career.

[malaise]

48. Not just a Georgian girl

Seventeen year old Melanie Oudin.

[lindisfarne]

53. She should look into menstrual suppression. noperiod.com n/t

[timeforpeace]

56. Now, I might be wrong, but I think she meant she was having her period.

[Berry Cool]

57. Maybe she was just having

that "not-so-fresh" feeling.

[Canuckistanian]

59. Maybe she wasn't feeling.......... fresh

I've heard there are "products" for that.

[Hekate]

60. Would you rather she went into details by saying the cramps were the mother of all bitches...

... and she was bleeding like there was no tomorrow? Two super tampons and a maxi-pad, Midol and Exedrin, and still no relief?

It's not about feminism or athleticism, it's about the human body -- a body that over half the human race has.

You can go a lifetime without one of these episodes, or you can have them every goddam month, or it can happen just often enough so that you have great sympathy for women who have it worse. If it's never happened to you or your sister, maybe you just really don't get it.

Hekate

[DangerousRhythm]

66. Thank you.

Yours is the first post I've even seen mention more than cramps being a possibility. She could have Menorrhagia or Metrorrhagia... or Menometrorrhagia for that matter. None of these are much of a picnic. If you bleed really heavily for a few WEEKS or longer and then go a few months without a period at all in a completely irregular, unpredictable pattern, it can really pose problems nobody would even consider and birth control pills might not work as they would for someone with a halfway normal cycle. So much can go wrong with female plumbing...

[Pharlo]

65. I don't know what Ms Jankovic's age is,

but it sounds like she's in her low to mid 20's. If she's never had an episode this bad, it can be indicative of a deeper problem. It could be just added stress from the game, or it could be symptomatic of something seriously wrong.

The same people who are lambasting her for 'woman' problems wouldn't say a word if she said she'd twisted/lightly sprained an ankle. Ankle or uterus, it's still a part of her physical body that can cause less than optimum performance if something is wrong.

Instead of attacking her for saying "I had a difficult menstrual cycle." it would be a more constructive response to say, "Well, I hope she has it checked out and everything is ok."

But then, I'm not a tennis aficionado, so I may see things a bit differently.




edit: Forgot to spellcheck.

[bigwillq]

67. She's 24 (nt)

[Bertha Venation]

68. I don't see any reason to doubt the significance of that problem for her.

Not even if it cost her a shot at the championship. Menstruation is as bad as we women say it is; the symptoms are wide-ranging and can be debilitating.

I'm sorry she lost, and it's sad that that's why.

[seabeyond]

70. i use to sneer at the whole pms thing. around 30 things changed, lol

i am much more empathetic.

[EndersDame]

69. Heh Heh She admitted to having periods

I always thought that it was funny how most women get embarrassed to having periods.I use to embarrass my sister by asking in a non whispering voice if she had any tampons or how I had bad cramps because I am having my period.

[aaaaaa5a]

80. Ha! I know people like that.

When I was in college I roomed with a girl that didn't like being seen buying toilet paper when we went shopping at the super-market. I have no idea what she would have done had I not lived there too!



I don't know why so many of us are embarrassed when it comes to the natural world.

[EndersDame]

71. I used to have cramps so bad I would vomit

I had to stay home from school every month. I would not want to get off the bed let alone play tennis. I only get sick to my stomach every once and a while. Yes I have taken birth control to try to regulate but have yet to find one that doesn't make me moody, have bowel problems or headaches.

[Just Saying]

75. +1

Mine were so bad that nothing helped. So tough to deal with the pain and heavy bleeding that I often missed school. I also get sick to my stomach. I can remember at 16 my doc telling me that they would get better after I had kids! My mom didn't want me on the pill because she thought I might have sex. (Stupid reason to keep me suffering and oh yeah, I had sex eventually anyway.) But, I later found that the pill had bad side effects for me. Two kids later, mine are still horrible and I get headaches, too.

[LeftHander]

73. Sport needs rules for menses...like the old days...

You know women should be sequestered, not allowed to prepare food, engage in marital relations, play mixed doubles...or ride in a donkey or golf cart with freshly butchered poultry.

:sarcasm:

omg...this is so bad.

[aaaaaa5a]

79. Ha! They shouldn't be allowed to swim in the ocean either.... SHARKS!

:sarcasm:

[BlooInBloo]

77. (shrug) Women's plumbing can be inconvenient at times - what's the big deal?

[Imagevision]

81. Poor choice of words, like they really accomplished something...

[rd_kent]

82. All athletes have excuses

when they fail. Some say "bad day" while other claim injury or whatever. This was just her excuse and its as valid as any other. Shit happens, right?

[rd_kent]

83. All athletes have excuses

when they fail. Some say "bad day" while other claim injury or whatever. This was just her excuse and its as valid as any other. Shit happens, right?